The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-16
SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.
Meeting Yesterday at Young Mems
Christian Association Hall.
Report of Proceedings at the Fore
noon and Afternoon Sessions.

Report OF proceedings at the Fore
noon and Afternoon Sessions.
Pursuant to call issued by the committee
on county organization appointed at the
State Sunday School Convention, the Sun
day School workers Of Cumberland county
met at 7. M. c. A. Hall yesterday at $50 a.
m, for the purpose of organizing a county
associatson. A devotional service, led by
Rev. DR.. Small, occupied the first half hour.
The temporary organization was effected
by the election Of Hon. Rufus Deering as
chairman and Rev. E. M. Cousens of Cum
berland Mills as secretary
| Rev. B. p. Snow of Willard presented the
advantages Of county organization. Mr..
Snow said organization is the watchword of
all advance at the present day. Organiza-
ton would do much toward improving Sun
day School teaching; in other words it
would bring our Sunday Schools more di-
rectly under the influence of sanctifed
teaching. The thorough organization of Il
linois and its efficient work was cited in ans
wer to the objection that we have too many
organizations already. We can never have
too much good machinery. The fear that
/
be groundless; the most original minds are
those who are willing to receive suggestions
from every source.
The word of God is too precious to be used
inditferent,y; we need the best workers and
the best methods. Our aim is the conversion
of the scholars and the culture of Christian
character. A thorough, earnestand enthusi
astic organization is what we need, how it
shall be effected is of little moment; in the
words of a Western farmer, | Brethren,
don't care anything about this thing if it
only gifts got"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Shows address
county. Rev. B. P. Snow of Willard Mr.. A.
G. Dewey of Portland, and Rev. DIR. Mat
thews of Brunswick were appointed a COM
mittee on permanent organization.
Rev. J. ii. Bashford, Phi. D., spoke of the
Importance of Sunday school teaching, The
Importance of care in choosing our avoca-
ton as well as our vocation was referred to.
The teacher in his power for personal infiu-
ence few exceeds the preacher. The preach
er stands in the pulpit and gives one truth
by the wholesale. The congregation does
not question or talk much it simply listens.
Again the teacher speaks directly to the
young and we all know that the Influences
which shape the life are those brought to
bear during the period of youth. The close
personal relation between teacher and
scholar is another advantage which the
teacher has over the preacher. The gram
duer of the work and the glory of the re-
ward should be the highest incentive to the
teacher. Five minute discussions followed
Rev. DR.. Dalton said the Sunday school
is the laymens church, not as substitute or
rival but an able assistant
Rev. Mr.. Wilson referred to the needy
work among the great number not connected
with any Sunday school.
Rev. DR.. Matthews believed that the
preachers should be recruited from the teach
ers.
The discussion upon ''Who Should Attend
Sunday Scho0l?'' was opened by Rev. A. H.
Wright in a ten minute address. The Sun
day school is the most important agency in
bringing in children to Christ. Believing
this, our first question is "Who Ought to be
in the Sunday School as Workers?'' First,
the pastor as leader, not necessarily as a
superintendent or teacher, but to encour-
be in the Sunday school as workers or schol-
| airs as well as the children. The missionary
work of the Sunday school is one of the most
important branches Of the work There is
teaching and we do well toicome together this
morning to discuss the best methods OF
work.
(; In the discussion which followed Rev
:. DIR. Dalton advised that the church mem
bers rather than the pastor make missionary
calls as they would then be free from the
1 suspicion of preselytizing Rev. Mr. Wilson
SAID great many were kept away by lack Of
proper clothing. Rev. b. p. Snow believed
If there were only time for one the churches
had better be closed and the whole strength
given to the Sunday school, Mr.. Woodbury.
believed in getting the church members into
dorsed the remarks of Mr. Wright in regard
to getting the poorer children into the estab-
lished Sunday school rather than organizing
amission school, Mr.. A. G. Dewey believed
the older people should come to set good
example to the younger members. Rev. DR.
Small referred to the lamentable ignorance
7 of the Bible.
Rev. E. NJ. Cousens openedthe discussion
on How to secure attendance at Sunday
school service" First of all the pastor
should give the notice of the Sunday schoo
e from the pulpit and specially invite attend
. ance. The work of the superintendent il
!, important. If there is any work that II
J worthy of a mans best powers it is this
f The teacher should magnify his office. The
:. class belongs to the teacher. A persona
a acquaintance with every member is of the
!. highest Importance. Look after your absent
sca4lars. Inc scholars, too, have their
v new scholars, and faithful study Of the les
son are some of these
Rev. A. I. Dunn emphasized the import
4 ance OF getting, hold of the children ant
r through them the parents.
: Rev. A. III. Wright urged the teachers {,
! renewed faithfulness in endeavoring to re
tam the young men in the Sunday school
!. Rev. Z: e. Bacon of Saccarappa urged tn,
: unity OF the Sunday school work. If vol
can't get scholar into your church, get hin
: into some other.
! The morning session closed with singing
and the bencdction by Rev. Dr. Bashford.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
e The session was opened by devotional
service, conducted by Rev. Albert T. Dunn
! Rev. b. P. Snow, chairman of the commit
q tee on organization, reported constitution
and list Of officers. The constitution wal
/, adopted without change. The list of officers
was recommitted, as several resigned. TIL,
constitution provides that any pastor. super
: intendent, teacher or adult scholar may be
, come member of the Association, and
+ being present at its meetings, may take par
| in the same.
,, The annual meeting will occur in May o.
each year after this.
The first topic ON the programme, "Tht
. Pastors Work in the Sunday School," was
+ opened by Rev. A. 7. Dunn. Mr.. Dunn said
ne was glad the pastors work in the Sunday
school was sufficiently recognized to be given
. place on the programme. The pastor
should be left time on the Sabbath to take
|, MS place In the Sunday school. If anybody
: ought 70 be In the school it is the pastor, moi
generally as superintendent nor teacher, but
having, general oversight. The superintend,
! ent and pastor should be in fullest sympathy
: and harmony. The pastor has most blessed
opportunity and the highest responsibility il
OF the church services than allow the pastor
to be shut out of the Sunday school, You
, canuot afford to do this. If you do, you will
, dry up the pastor and he will dry up the
|, | church.
! Results to be obtained in Sunday School,
! work" was earnestly presented by Rev
Frank I. Bayley. The great aim of the
teacher is to present the moral and spiritual
: truth OF the lesson. Too many spend more
time on the historical and archaeological
! truth than in the spiritual Another aim
, should be to apply the moral and spiritual
truth to life. The scholar should be brought
to know himself A great deal depends on
the teacher and his vital connection with the
truth of God. In the personality of the
teacher is his one strongest resource.
Key. ID. w. LeLacheur and Mr.. Lewis fol-
line. WV ''''s
The committee on nominations presented
r their amended report as follows: